The Hygiene Hack You’ve Got To Try

If the eyes are the window to the soul, does that make the smile the window to your heart? There’s a wealth of information out there about haircare, skincare, and getting buns of steel, but what about taking care of your pearly whites? Your smile is a powerful feature. It introduces you before you’ve said a word, represents you in a photo and gives the world a sneak preview of your personality. Tyra may have popularized the whole smize movement, but I think a big toothy grin is the most contagious of all.

White strips and whitening toothpaste can definitely boost your oral care routine, but sometimes these remedies just don’t quite cut it. Oil pulling has recently started making a mark on the beauty scene, but the truth is, it’s been around for a hot minute. 1000 years to be exact. Oil pulling is an ancient Indian folk remedy that is essentially gargling with oil in place of mouthwash. It’s catching on because of a wealth of appealing effects such as fresher breath, whiter teeth, and potential oral health benefits. You’d think we might have re-discovered it sooner. You can use sunflower or sesame oil, but coconut oil is my personal recommendation. It contains lauric acid, which is antimicrobial and has the power to kill bacteria and viruses. Some people also believe that it helps reduce inflammation of the gums which can increase your overall health.

I recently hopped onto the oil pulling train, and I have to say that I’m really a fan. I’ve been doing this as part of my nighttime routine for about a month now, and I’ve noticed my mouth has felt cleaner and my breath is fresher. All you do is use one tablespoon of coconut oil – I like Desert Essence Dual Pulling Rinse – and swish it around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. You could do this while showering, cooking, dancing around in your underwear…whatever floats your boat. Just make sure you don’t spit it out in the sink because it may clog!

It may feel strange at first to have oil in your mouth but after a few days you get used to it, and you should start to notice a change in the way your mouth feels. Cleaner? Fresher? Whiter? Better.